After pouring over myth book and myth book, building a several page character bio and digging for her motivation – this is what I know about my Aphrodite.
She’s beautiful, but vulnerable. Yes, she can be manipulative but it’s her last resort. She’s hungry for love – feels it deeply, devoted to lovers, and faithful to those that believe in the emotion. She sees beauty in all things, not only those things that are visually beautiful. She’s generous and giving. She’s not too young, or too old. And she’s a mother – several times over.
She’s woman.
Initially I was going with Robin Wright Penn. She’s so beautiful.
But then Charity gave me the right answer! And it was was like, duh, of course…
Monica Belluci fits perfectly.
But, thank you for these wonderful suggestions: Halle Berry, Angeline Jolie, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Salma Hayek, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Robin Wright Penn and Christina Hendricks. All of them were totally valid.
What do you think?
Tags: Aphrodite, character development, Monicca Belucci, muse, Robin Wright Penn, writing
I think they’re both great! Of course, Richard Butler actually prefers us down to earth writer types…
Happy Holidays!
Sasha,
I love mythology, mine just happens to be Egyptian. Greek is my second favorite
I love using pictures or real people to represent my heroes and heroines. For Aphrodite, I like Robin Wright Penn best. I think she represents all the qualities and characteristics.
Jean Murray
I love what you have come up with after your research. She is beautiful. I think she’s perfect.
She’s perfect! And that’s my totally unbiased opinion, of course.
RWP is stunning, but I agree, there’s something a little vulnerable about her (she will always be The Princess Bride to me. I can’t help it.).
), but I love that you picked Monica Belucci. Her maturity gives her a depth of character that might be hard to get in a younger woman. Plus, she’s just drop dead gorgeous. But not in a “va-va-voom” kind of way, more of an awed “whoa” kind of way. I like!! 
I too, kept thinking about the painting (hence Christina Hendricks
I agree with Charity. Monica Belluci is an excellent choice. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve seen three of her movies and still had to look her up. :/ I think if you put these two characters together in real life, they’d give each other a run for the money. Can’t wait to read it!